Yemen’s Food Crisis: Global Alleviation Efforts
On September 25, 2008, The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) announced the launch of an emergency response program to facilitate the ongoing food crisis in Yemen. The program is the result of a recent investigation that revealed a dramatic decrease in food security among Yemen’s population due to the global rise in food prices. Yemen is one of the countries that has been hit the hardest by the international crisis. It was revealed that in a single year, the price of wheat (which is the main staple in the Yemeni diet) increased from $350 to $650 per 1000 kg.
As a result, many countries are stepping in to facilitate. More specifically, the Italian government contributed 5 million Euros to launch operations that will help feed over one million people in Yemen. The Italian Ambassador to Yemen describes the contribution as “yet another illustration of the excellent level of cooperation with WFP.” Italy’s contribution is the second largest direct donation to WFP’s fund to help end Yemen’s food crisis. (In August 2008, Germany donated 10 million Euros to WFP to address food security and nutrition in Yemen). Mohamed el-Kouhene, WFP’s Representative in Yemen stated the importance of this global initiative: “This new operation, along with ongoing development and humanitarian relief activities in the country, will raise WFP’s portfolio to above $120 million, providing food assistance to over 1.5 million people, an unprecedented level of support to vulnerable families in Yemen.”
This initiative is an interesting example of looking at a global issue (the international food crisis) and zeroing in on how one country, such as Yemen, has been particularly affected. Moreover, it’s important to look beyond Yemen’s borders to understand how the international community facilitates help. What are the motivations behind the country’s actions? Why was have Germany and Italy made the largest contributions? What other factors are operating in this situation?
Jenna Hootstein
